MPBN opposes proposed budget cuts
Gov. Paul LePage has proposed cutting state funding to the Maine Public Broadcasting Network, a move that MBPN President Jim Dowe said would have "significant negative consequences."
LePage has proposed eliminating the nearly $2 million in state appropriations for fiscal year 2012 and 2013 to MPBN, which represents 19% of the network's annual operating budget and would take effect July 1, according to a press release from MPBN. LePage also proposed eliminating a 1992 statute that requires the state to provide an annual appropriation to the public broadcasting network. LePage previously proposed eliminating Clean Election funding, but has instead opted to keep that and cut MPBN funding instead, Finance Commissioner Sawin Millett told Capitol News Service.
Dowe said that MPBN's mission is "to connect the people of Maine to each other and to the world through the open exchange of information, ideas and cultural content," and said the state should support that mission. MPBN testified Wednesday before the Legislature's Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee. Another hearing is scheduled for Monday.
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